Tina Reid (Rose)

My heart goes out to the sisters and entire family of Joe Payne.  It is sad to hear of one of us passing but there is hope for a larger reunion in our future. We like reunions and that one will  be the biggest and THE BEST!

I did not know Joe really - only by sight - but he was a key figure at the 55th reunion to me.  I saw the love between he and his sister and they looked so happy to be there.  Joe was so very pleasant to visit with even though he was dealing with a bad disease.  He was smiling the whole time and I'm so glad he was able to be at that reunion.

So I thought I'd go to his profile to read his intereactions with others and I ran into this post from our late classmate John Weinstein.  This is what I mean by there is hope - Here was John Weinstein talking to Joe and letting him know that Jesus Christ was the best gift he ever received. I'm thinking those two guys are chatting right now.

John Weinstein's very special post to Joe for his birthday in 2019...........

Joe, your get to live in Houston and have a birthday in American/s favorite hometown. Shortly after my 23rd birthday I received the greatest gift I ever have received, Life in Jesus Christ

I love that! 

My heart and hugs to all who loved him.  Tina Reid Rose

Pat Clooney (King)

Lucy Payne Capps (Waltrip '68) sent me this message she posted on Facebook & many lovely photo memories:

As yesterday, today and tomorrow goes by… so many memories come pouring into our thoughts of a son, a brother, a husband, a dad, a PaPa and a friend. Our family called him Joe Paul, but he was known by most as "Joe".

His loves and passions reached wide…

Joe Paul was a hard worker…never stopped. His first job was a paper route. Every day, he rolled, tied, and loaded the Houston Press newspaper in the canvas bags on his bike and off he rode to throw his newspaper route. He was soon old enough to work at Swonke’s Grocery store as a sacker progressing to a meat cutter. Once out of school, he went to work at Fed-Mart where he continued as a meat cutter, until he started his own business, Pal’s Pet and Grooming Shop. While running the Pet shop in Houston, he entered the World of the Dog Shows. He spent at least 40 years as a dog owner/handler for several different breeds but mostly the beautiful Cocker Spaniel. He maintained his pet shop until he retired and moved back to Eagle Lake approximately 10 years ago.

At an early age he loved any engines whether it was a motorcycle, car, or a lawnmower…he could fix it.

Somewhere around the age of 12-13, he built a boat by hand. And I should add…thank goodness it didn’t leak because his younger sisters Lucy and Mary Jane (who was about 5) took a ride in it and none of us knew how to swim. Our mother was a little upset.

Sports...he never let his small statue stop him from playing and enjoying any game…he was good at any sport especially baseball. At a young age he was known as “The Bunter”. He could tell you which team or player won any game, their statistics, and scores.

Joe Paul was a collector of EVERYTHING…if you are looking for something special…he probably had it.

Then there was his lifelong love of music…he couldn’t dance but he loved music. Joe Paul knew most all songs and the artist from the 1960’s to 1970’s. Even though he had hundreds of albums of various artist, his favorite band was “The Beatles”. He was so proud and excited that he had walked across Abby Road in England.

In about 2007, Joe Paul and his son Joey took on the monumental task of rebuilding board by board our grandparents' home here in Eagle Lake. It was dilapidated and probably needed to be demolished but not to him. It is now a charming farm cottage surrounded by everything he loved.

He loved working outside especially in the yard…digging holes and plantings everything. He was known to say “I have the prettiest ditch in town” …and he did!

Though he had many interests and hobbies, his true love and passion was with animals…whether it was turtles, iguanas, chickens, cats or dogs, all kinds of birds…exotics to sparrows…and goodness we can’t forget the honeybees. He always made room for one more animal. He loved and cared for them all.

Joe Paul lived his life fully…his way.

We will miss our Joe Paul.

John Wessels

Joe Paul and I played baseball together on the 13 year old American Legion League at the Lion's Club Field. Although none of us were as good as we thought we were, we managed to win the league championship on the  last day of the season. Joe Paul's good friend Larry Wade was also on the team. Joe Paul may have been small but he was big in heart, always smiling and always optimistic. I am truly saddened that he is gone. Rest in peace my friend.

Pat Clooney (King)

Joseph Paul Payne

March 13, 1949 — September 11, 2023

Eagle Lake

Joseph Paul Payne passed away September 12, 2023 at his residence with family by his side.

He was born March 13, 1949 in Houston, Texas to Arnold and Johanna L. Balas Payne. He was a professional dog handler.

He is survived by his wife Susan Payne; son, Joseph Michael Payne; sisters, Johanna Jones, Lucy Capps, Mary Jane Schumaker and husband Michael; 2 grandchildren, Kaylahh Payne and Asheley Payne.

Services are pending at this time.

https://www.eaglelakefuneral.com/obituaries/joseph-payne